Ch1

Question 1

What are the principal fossil fuels on Earth?

Answer 1

Coal, oil, gas

These are the primary non-renewable energy sources.

Question 2

Name two fossil fuels besides coal.

Answer 2

Oil, gas

Coal is one example of a fossil fuel.

Question 3

List four uses of fossil fuels in modern-day life.

Answer 3

• Power / Electricity
• Transport Fuel
• Plastics
• Pharmaceutics
• Fibres

These uses highlight the importance of fossil fuels in various industries.

Question 4

Define ‘fossil fuel’.

Answer 4

Fuel consisting of the remains of organisms preserved in rocks in the earth’s crust with high carbon and hydrogen content.

Examples include coal, oil, and gas.

Question 5

What is a renewable energy source?

Answer 5

A form of energy derived from natural sources that do not use up natural resources to harm the environment.

Examples include solar, wind, and tidal energy.

Question 6

Identify one fossil fuel found on Earth.

Answer 6

Coal, oil, or gas

Any one of these is acceptable as an answer.

Question 7

State two different manufacturing processes that rely on fossil fuels.

Answer 7

• Plastics
• Pharmaceuticals
• Fibres

These materials are essential in various industries.

Question 8

Why are fossil fuels important in the development of modern society?

Answer 8

• Source of fuel for transport/electricity generation
• Provide raw materials for plastic/pharmaceutical/fibre production

Their availability has significantly influenced industrial development.

Question 9

Explain why global action on fossil fuel conservation is needed.

Answer 9

• Non-renewable resources are diminishing
• Increasing fossil fuel consumption in emerging economies
• Climate change linked to fossil fuel use
• Excessive resource use affects the whole world

Conservation efforts are critical for sustainable development.

Question 10

What is the estimated lifespan of fossil fuel reserves?

Answer 10

50 to 200 years

This finite nature emphasizes the need for conservation.

Question 11

Where can fossil fuel reserves be located?

Answer 11

In politically unstable/hostile areas, such as Russia and the Middle East.

This location can impact global energy security.

Question 12

What are the environmental and social issues surrounding fossil fuel extraction?

Answer 12

Issues such as drilling for oil in sensitive areas like the Arctic.

Environmental concerns often lead to public opposition.

Question 13

List two pieces of evidence linking fossil fuel combustion with climate change.

Answer 13

• Weather pattern changes (floods, storms)
• Rising sea temperatures
• Melting polar ice caps
• Rise in sea levels

These effects illustrate the impact of fossil fuels on the environment.

Question 14

Describe three pieces of scientific evidence linking fossil fuel combustion to global warming.

Answer 14

• Increased levels of carbon dioxide
• Fewer cold days and more hot days
• Increase in ocean temperature
• More frequent droughts and heavy precipitation

These changes underscore the urgency of addressing fossil fuel consumption.

Question 15

What is carbon trading?

Answer 15

An exchange of carbon credits between countries.

Countries are assigned maximum carbon emission levels.

If a country exceeds its maximum level it is penalised.

Countries that have higher carbon emissions can buy the right to release more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere from countries that have lower
carbon emissions.

It aims to reduce global carbon emissions.

Question 16

List one advantage and one disadvantage of carbon trading.

Answer 16

Advantage: Reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Disadvantage: Market can be open to fraud.

This system has both potential benefits and significant challenges.

Question 17

What is one reason why carbon trading may not effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

Answer 17

The market is open to fraud or manipulation.

This can undermine the effectiveness of carbon trading schemes.

Question 18

What concept was developed at the Kyoto Protocol in 1997 to help reduce carbon emissions?

Answer 18

Carbon Trading

This was part of international efforts to address climate change.

Question 19

What is carbon trading?

Answer 19

A concept set out in the Kyoto Protocol in 1997 to curb emissions of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases.

Question 20

How are countries assigned carbon emission levels?

Answer 20

In the form of carbon permits.

Question 21

What happens if a country exceeds its maximum carbon emission level?

Answer 21

It must buy extra carbon permits from other countries.

Question 22

What is the financial penalty for exceeding carbon emission levels intended to do?

Answer 22

Encourage the country to lower their CO2 emissions.

Question 23

What can countries that produce less than their allotted carbon emissions do?

Answer 23

Sell their carbon permits to other countries.

Question 24

What is the financial incentive for countries producing less CO2 emissions?

Answer 24

Being able to sell unused permits to other countries.

Question 25

How are carbon permits assigned each year?

Answer 25

Countries receive a certain number of carbon permits annually based in their emission levels.

Question 26

What happens to countries that fail to lower their CO2 emissions?

Answer 26

They will receive a lower number of carbon credits in the next year.

Question 27

Fill in the blank: Carbon trading encourages countries to lower their CO2 emissions by assigning them maximum carbon emission levels in the form of _______.

Answer 27

[carbon permits]

Question 28

True or False: Countries can only buy carbon permits; they cannot sell them.

Answer 28

False